One of the great treats of a Colorado ski trip is enjoying the fabulous food served up in resort restaurants. Between the appetite you’ve built up on the slopes and the amazing attention to detail by the resort dining menus, it’s no wonder that eating ranks second only to skiing on a group ski trip. The Daily Meal has released their Top Ten Ski Resorts for Food in North America, and it’s no surprise that Colorado resorts represented well. Several of the spots they mentioned look fantastic and have made our short list of places to eat when you ski.

The Metropolitan in Beaver Creek looks amazing. Because wine and tapas. What else is there to say? Oh, actually there is one more thing to say – their breakfast burritos look like the perfect, delicious fuel for a day on the slopes.

I also like the looks of The 10th Restaurant at Vail. Because when you combine Pan Seared Cilantro Marinated Halibut, Lobster Risotto, Sautéed Swiss Chard, Sunflower Seeds, Ginger Scallion Sauce with views like this, you win. At 13,000 feet, this ski-in, ski-out is available to skiers who want fine-dining for lunch but don’t want to interrupt your ski day by leaving the slopes.

You’ve skied bumps and back bowls, you’ve boarded the toughest terrain parks, and you want to try something different on your upcoming ski trip. Ski boarding might be the change of pace you are looking for. You may have seen skiboarders on your last ski trip, doing jumps and pirouettes on what looks like a really short pair of skis.

A combination of skis, snowboard and skates, ski boards (aka, Snowblades, the brand name sold by Salomon) look like a pair of really short skis, and skiboarders may use poles, but usually don’t.

With a shorter learning curve than skis or boards, skiboards let beginners see pretty quick progress in a short amount of time, making them a fun first experience on the slopes. Intermediates can try things that were beyond their reach on a traditional pair of skis, and experts can use their skills to master something new on skiboards.

Here you can see a first timer on snowboards. And if you poke around on YouTube, you’ll find quite a few experts out there, too.

Have you tried skiboards or any other alternative to skiing or snowboarding? If so, let us know about your experience. If you would like to try them, let Ski Daddy help you set it up on your next Colorado group ski trip.

Leanne is the Mama over at Ski Daddy, and she has spent years mothering their ski groups. During this time, she has gathered some of her favorite tips and we’re going to share them right here in our blog feature, “Ski Mama Says.”

This week’s tip is a great one for organizing the food for your trip. Rather than buying the dry goods before leaving on your group ski trip and then finding a market at your resort for perishables like milk and eggs, you can do it in one beautifully organized fell swoop.

If you are traveling through Denver to your ski resort, just log on to the Sam’s Club Click’n’Pull website by 5 pm the day before you will be in Denver, and place your complete order from the store at 505 S Broadway Denver, CO 80209. When you hit Denver, roll on into the Sam’s Club and pick up your complete order before you make the final run to your resort.

Including kids in your group ski trip is not as hard as it might sound. In fact there are plenty of ways to make your ski trip fun for kids. Many ski resorts offer lessons, special events and other accommodations for kids, so with a little advance planning they can get as much from your ski vacation as any seasoned skier. Here are a few things to check into to make sure everyone on your trip has a good time, regardless of age.

Ski Lessons for Kids

Once the children in your group hit 3 or 4 and are potty-trained, they can start taking lessons. Most resorts know how to ease the kids into it with short sessions on the snow mixed with some indoor fun with games and hot cocoa. Of course you can always take the kids out for a run with you, but it’s nice to know there are trained instructors who can make skiing fun for your kids while you are out there killing it on the double black diamonds. So before you go, check on lessons for the kids.

Childcare for Kids on Your Group Ski Trip

If your kids are too young to ski, many resorts offer childcare starting as young as two months. Again, this can give you a chance to really enjoy the slopes with peace of mind about what the little ones are up to, so check with the resorts you are interested into be sure they can accommodate your tiny group members.

Breaks During Your Ski Vacation

Skiing is a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work, particularly when you are 3 feet tall. Be sure to take an afternoon or two off from the slopes and try something different. For example, The Coca Cola Tubing Hill in Winter Park is great fun for all ages and gives everyone’s quads a rest. Take an afternoon off of the slopes, and you and the kids will be refreshed and ready to hit it hard the next morning.

Special Ski Resort Activities That Make Your Ski Trip Fun for Kids

Look for a resort that offers something special designed just for kids. For example, Copper Mountain offers a kids night out each week with movies, crafts, Wii and more. This might be more for the adults, but the kids don’t need to know that.

With just a little planning and research into what your resort offers, everyone in your group can have a fantastic time on your group ski vacation – especially the littles ones. And when you know the kids are having fun, it sure makes your vacation a stress-free and fun, too.

At Ski Daddy, we take pride in being familiar with the offerings of all the resorts we work with. If you have questions about activities for kids of any age in your group, please get in touch. We would love to help.

A group ski trip is the perfect way to get away, participate in fun activities and bond with your group. The last thing you want is for members of your group to get sick from the high altitude. That’s not the kind of bonding you want!

According to the Antarctic Study of Altitude Physiology, or ASAP trial, 20% of people traveling to high altitudes up to 18,000 ft suffer symptoms of altitude sickness. Typically this can be characterized by headaches, nausea, and dizziness. It can occasionally be more serious. This study gives some helpful information on prevention and treatment of these unpleasant symptoms.

Stay Hydrated

When you are dehydrated you have more trouble acclimating to high altitudes. Begin hydrating several days before your trip by drinking 2-3 liters of water per day, and continue hydrating yourself while traveling and during your ski trip. Remember that caffeine and alcohol also contribute to dehydration so limit their consumption.

Stay Rested

A ski trip is exhausting! A day of fun on the slopes takes a lot of energy, so a good night’s rest can help restore your body’s ability to fight illness. Be sure to get plenty of rest before and during your trip.

Start Slowly

Give your body time to acclimate by easing into the high exertion sport of skiing. Take the first day easy, cruising slopes a little easier than you are capable of and taking a long lunch to rejuvenate. It’s better to take it slowly at first than not be able to ski at all because you’ve over done it out of the starting gate.

Use the Buddy System

Sometimes we don’t recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness in ourselves, but they are easier to notice in others. If you or your buddy develops headaches or nausea, take a break, hydrate and take some Tylenol. Shortness of breath or disorientation are signs of more serious, and thankfully more unusual, consequences of altitude sickness. Should someone in your group develop these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention and assistance in descending the mountain.

When in doubt, it is always best to seek medical attention. Mountain clinics are staffed with practitioners experienced with altitude sickness in all its forms and can give the best advice on treatment options.

Only 1 in 5 people develop altitude sickness at altitudes under 18,000 feet, and the symptoms are usually mild and temporary, though more serious issues can rarely develop. As with most things, the best treatment is prevention. A well-rested, well-hydrated skier who eases into the rigors of skiing is going to be best able to avoid the symptoms of altitude sickness and have a great ski trip, so be sure your group is aware of these straightforward methods of prevention.